See, now Earl looks good. I hate those fat labs. Esp when they can't even walk without breathing hard. I love it when i go to some house and the 'guard dog' comes out, wheezing and barely able to walk. It's usually a lab. And I wonder what on earth the person is thinking letting their dog get that fat. The owner is solely responsible - it's not like the dog is buying the food at the store, ordering takeout or opening the fridge for a late night snack (and if they are, buy a fridge lock

I don't think as much about weight as I do body composition. His best weight is the one that allows him to maximize physical performance. It's also the weight he "looks" best at, IMO.

Demo Dick

"My first priority will be to reinstate the assault weapons ban PERMANENTLY as soon as I take office...I intend to work with Congress on a national no carry law, 1 gun a month purchase limits, and bans on all semi-automatic guns."-Barack Obama"When in doubt, whip it out."-Nuge

Layla isnt show quality, but she's definitely healthier now thats she's dropped some pounds. She's faster, more agile and performs better now that she's not carrying around 15 pounds of extra fat.

In my limited experience with Layla I have seen a definite increase in her overall level of energy, inquisitiveness and confidence. I think that has a lot to do with her leaning out. If you think about it, a dog who gets tired just moving around is going to appear less confident than the same dog who is agile and retains energy despite extensive exercise.

Layla is definitely NOT "show quality" and that's a good thing, IMO. All too often, "show quality" means that the dog LOOKS like what a middle aged, female dog hobbyist with limited working experience thinks the breed should look like. My favorite Pit Bulls are the rangy, game-bred ADBA types. My favorite labs are lean and mean (even with visible ribs) and ready to jump in the water to retrieve ducks WITHOUT tipping the boat. Form follows function and has since dogs were bred for purpose. Breeding to a phsyical standard is putting the cart before the horse.

Demo Dick

"My first priority will be to reinstate the assault weapons ban PERMANENTLY as soon as I take office...I intend to work with Congress on a national no carry law, 1 gun a month purchase limits, and bans on all semi-automatic guns."-Barack Obama"When in doubt, whip it out."-Nuge

Yup, "show quality" in my mind conjures up visions of short, fat dogs...no matter what breed is brought up. Add "lots of coat" if you're talking about a breed with coat.

I don't like "show" Aussies, BCs, or most herding breeds...I'll stick to the non-show dogs that can actually perform what they were bred to do. I like rangier pit bulls too...the short and wide syndrome affects them worse than many breeds!

All too often, "show quality" means that the dog LOOKS like what a middle aged, female dog hobbyist with limited working experience thinks the breed should look like.

And that's often what middle-aged female dog hobbyists look like too...short and fat (usually minus the hair though...)

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw

TheRedQueen wrote:Yup, "show quality" in my mind conjures up visions of short, fat dogs...no matter what breed is brought up. Add "lots of coat" if you're talking about a breed with coat.

I don't like "show" Aussies, BCs, or most herding breeds...I'll stick to the non-show dogs that can actually perform what they were bred to do. I like rangier pit bulls too...the short and wide syndrome affects them worse than many breeds!

I took my sheltie to a UKC show this month and was thrilled when the final day judge put her up over 8 bitches and then put her Best of Winners over the male AM/CAN CH because he said she looks like she is the picture of a versitile working dog and could work out in a field all day long doing what ever job I asked her to. That she moved well and responded to me the way a working sheltie should.. never missing a beat or anything around her.. he quoted the versitility part of our standard ("shelties are an agilie, sturdy, versitile working farm dog") ..and finished it off with that she's a pretty, picture that's balanced and correct even though she's petitie.. I was thrilled to be able to tell him that she does work and is a great all around dog including in herding..

I'm finding I like UKC more and more.. no frills.. no "make up".. and judges that actually respect a dog that can do what it was bred to do?.. Imagine that!

sort of off-topic..but what the hey...so you're telling me that if I get Magic fat and out of shape that he'll slow down, shut up and basically become manageable...Where the hell was this advise when I was ready to kill him???? You guys are suppose to be helping